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Shu Hanover in 1:48.3
April 30, 2005
Shu Hanover paced three wide through the first turn en route to a :26.3 opening quarter, relinquished the lead on the backstretch then rallied up the pylons in deep stretch to score a 1:48.3 victory in a $30,000 conditioned pace at the Meadowlands Saturday night. Shu Hanover, who swept the Fox S
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Mr. Muscleman wins Open
April 30, 2005
Mr Muscleman coasted to a 1 1/2-length victory over Hellava Hush and driver Cat Manzi in the $42,500 Open Trot Friday night at the Meadowlands. The 2004 Older Trotter of the Year, Mr Muscleman covered the mile in 1:53.2, only one-fifth of a second off of his lifetime best. Ten-year-old Fool's Goal,
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Boulder Creek Wins First
April 30, 2005
Boulder Creek picked up a second-over trip during a wicked :26.3 second quarter then pulled off his cover at the head of the lane and sprinted to a 1:49 victory in the $47,500 Open Pace at the Meadowlands Saturday night. The 2-5 favorite in the field of nine, Boulder Creek, with Biran Sears in
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Dan Patch to Maltese Artist
April 30, 2005
Maltese Artist rocketed away from the field at the head of the stretch and cruised to the wire with a 1:49.4 victory in the $200,00 Dan Patch Invitational at Hoosier Park Saturday night. Canyon Wind and David Miller made a late, middle of the track rally to be second with Whosurboy and Rick Macomber
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Jenna's Choice romps
April 30, 2005
Jenna's Choice took the lead on the outside at the half and then romped home by 5 1/4 lengths for a 1:51.3 victory in the $25,000 Berry's Creek Prep at the Meadowlands Saturday night. Pat's All Star was second and Jo Pa's Shark third in a three-horse blanket finish that had Realiscape finishing four
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11,000 wins for Manzi
April 29, 2005
Cat Manzi, third on the all-time victory list among North American harness drivers, posted career victory 11,000 with Classical Man in the seventh race on Thursday night at the Meadowlands. Manzi trails only Herve Filion (15,103) and Walter Case Jr. (11,027) on the all-time list. Manzi, a Hall of
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Isle Of Patmos in 1:56.2
April 29, 2005
Isle Of Patmos, a 3-year-old pacing colt by Astreos who won a Nassagaweya stakes division last season, qualified at Pompano Park Friday morning in 1:56.2. With trainer Mark Capone aboard, he won by 3 3/4 lengths. Last year Isle of Patmos won six of 12 starts for earnings of slightly more than $300,0
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Qualifiers at Pompano
April 29, 2005
In addition to Isle Of Patmos, Mark Capone qualified L Dee's Val, the third-place finisher behind Rainbow Blue in last year's Breeders Crown and Matron, at Pompano. Other notables qualifying were Hambo Oaks champ Silver Springs and Corleone Kosmos. L Dee's Val finished third in a 1:55.4 mile, pac
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Village Jolt in 1:55.1
April 29, 2005
In his first qualifier at the Meadowlands this year, Village Jolt set the pace and held on for a head victory over Four Starz Stone in 1:55.1 Friday morning at the Big M. He paced his last half in :56.4 (:27 last quarter) with Ron Pierce up. Other horses qualifying included Hez Striking, who won
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Politics & slots in Florida
April 28, 2005
One Florida legislator says there is no chance of having slots at Broward County pari-mutuel facilities this year, but another said the process of passing enabling legislation is far from over. According to a report in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Florida Senate President Tom Lee said Wednesda
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World mark at Hoosier?
April 28, 2005
An attempt to break the world record for a harness race over the distance of 15/16 of a mile will be made at Hoosier Park as part of Saturday's undercard for the $200,000 Dan Patch Invitational. Ten starters will go behind the gate in the $12,600 fifth race on the evening card. The time to beat i
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Strike up the band
April 28, 2005
In a break from the usual bake sales and car washes, high school bands will have a chance to raise money doing what they do best--making music. The Third Annual Hambletonian Parade is offering a $1,000 prize to the best high school band marching in the July 30 event to kick off Hambletonian week.
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Isle Of Patmos to qualify
April 27, 2005
Isle of Patmos, last year's leading earner among the 2-year old colt and gelding pacers on the Ontario Sire Stakes Circuit with more than $320,000 in purses, will begin his 3-year-old campaign on Friday morning in a qualifier at Pompano Park. "He trained in 2:00 on Saturday," co-owner David Schar
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Tony & Julio down at BlmP
April 27, 2005
Julio, driven by Tony Morgan, captured Tuesday night's $10,000 Iggy Magoo Stakes at Balmoral Park in a career-best 2:00.1. The 3-year-old son of Giant Triumph left, yielded the lead, and then sat patiently along the inside until finding room in deep stretch to edge past Arcola for the neck victory.
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Ron Newhart dies
April 27, 2005
Ronald "Ronnie" J. Newhart, 50, a veteran trainer-driver in Ohio, died Tuesday after a battle with cancer. Newhart devoted his life for harness racing and was an outstanding driver. He had over 1,000 wins and was active at Ohio tracks and particularly the Southern Valley Colt fair circuit. He was
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No Big M Open for Blue
April 27, 2005
Trainer George Teague Jr. was hoping to race 2004 Horse of the Year Rainbow Blue in an Open Mares Pace at the Meadowlands this weekend, but the race didn't fill. Coming off a world-record performance in the opening round of the Classic Series at Dover Downs April 18, Teague was looking to keep the 4
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Where the buffalo roam
April 27, 2005
Nine wayward buffalo ran amok in Maryland Tuesday morning and later that afternoon, one pacer from Buffalo Raceway ran amok at Monticello Raceway. After seven wins in eight starts in the top-class race at Buffalo, El Paso Hanover was shipped to Monticello for the $6,800 Open Pace and the 7-year-old
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Ten to vie at Hoosier Park
April 27, 2005
He Wants It All, who won the Isle of Capri final in a career-best 1:50.3 at Pompano Park this winter, and is coming off a 1:51.3 victory in the Free For All at Balmoral Park April 23, has been installed the 3-1 morning-line choice in Saturday's $200,000 Dan Patch Invitational Pace at Hoosier Park.
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No elim for Berry's Creek
April 26, 2005
With just 11 horses entered, eliminations will not be held for the Berry's Creek for 3-year-old male pacers. The $250,000 (estimate) final is set for May 7 at the Meadowlands. The 11 entries, with 10 racing in a single prep race at the Meadowlands Saturday night, are: Odds On Duane, Jo Pa's Shark
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1:56.2 for Sub Rosa
April 26, 2005
Sub Rosa Hanover, a 3-year-old filly by Western Hanover, qualified in 1:56.2 at The Meadows Tuesday morning. The filly finished second in the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes Championship last September and then headed to Lexington for a third-place finish in an International Stallion Stakes division. Da
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Terrific ten at Hoosier
April 26, 2005
The field of 10 older pacers appears to be set for this Saturday's $200,000 Dan Patch Invitational at Hoosier Park. Although it looks to be an evenly-matched field, the headliner is Maltese Artist based off his world-record performance in the opening round of the Classic Series at Dover Downs April
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Restive out until August
April 25, 2005
Trainer Erv Miller has told The Horseman Breeders Crown champion Restive Hanover will not race this year until at least late August as a result of a knee injury. The 3-year-old filly had injured a knee and she recently "touched it again," according to Miller. The daughter of The Panderosa was a n
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Hurri Kane, Durgin win
April 25, 2005
Hurri Kane Billy G and longshot Durgin Hanover won their respective $20,000 divisions of the Father Foley Trotting Series Sunday afternoon at the Meadowlands. Driven by Daniel Dube and trained by John McDermott, Hurri Kane Billy G trotted the mile in 1:55.2. CR Kinetic could not sustain a first-o
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A filly for Moni Maker
April 25, 2005
Moni Maker, North America's richest Standardbred with career earnings of $5.5 million, delivered a filly by Self Possessed Saturday night (April 23). Moni Maker is scheduled to be bred to Cantab Hall. Moni Maker's first offspring, Touch Of Moni, is a 3 year old and has been training well, accordi
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Canyon Wind wins by nose
April 24, 2005
Canyon Wind posted his third victory in a row, although this one was a close call as he edged Boulder Creek in a tight photo in 1:50.1 Saturday night at the Meadowlands. Canyon Wind won the $42,500 Open Pace after taking the lead from Eaton Road Kill past the opening quarter. A game Boulder Cree
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Plenty of speed at Big M
April 24, 2005
There was plenty of speed at the Meadowlands Saturday night as six of the 12 races were clocked in either 1:50 and change times or below 1:50. The speed parade over the fast track took place as follows: Canyon Wind (1:50.1), Global Scale (1:50.2), Landmark Hall (1:50.4), Themistokles (1:50.4), Town
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Art's Chip wins at HoP
April 24, 2005
Art's Chip, who pulled an upset in last year's US Pacing Championship on Hambletonian Day at the Meadowlands, won his first start of the season Saturday night at Hoosier Park, scoring in 1:51.3 for trainier-driver Mark Evers. The 5-year-old son of Artsplace enjoyed a two-hole trip in the Hoosier
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Daley suspension stayed
April 22, 2005
The Appellate Division of the Superior Court of New Jersey has stayed the 180 day suspension of trainer Noel Daley. However, Daley's required detention of his horses at the Meadowlands began Thursday, April 21, and will continue despite the stay. Daley was suspended by the New Jersey Racing Commi
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Shu Hanover sweeps
April 22, 2005
Shu Hanover coasted to his fourth straight win and completed a series sweep with a mile in 1:49 in the $46,285 Fox Sports Net final at the Meadowlands Thursday night. Shu Hanover's 1:49 mile was a career best and a Fox Sports Net stakes record. Shu Hanover, driven by David Miller, sprinted to the
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Loyal Opposition better
April 22, 2005
Trainer Erv Miller has told The Horseman Loyal Opposition is doing much better after being scratched out of the opening round of the Classic Series at Dover Downs Monday, April 11 due to a pus pocket and infection. Although the scratch let the air out of the balloon with the much-anticipated match-u
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DSBF trotting winners
April 22, 2005
Go Sassy Go set a Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund stakes record with a 1:58.2 victory in the $100,000 final for 3-year-old filly trotters Thursday night at Dover Downs. One race later, Maid To Command won the $100,000 colt final with a 2:00.2 effort. George Dennis directed Go Sassy Go to the
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Centerfold Hall starts
April 22, 2005
Centerfold Hall, a 3-year-old trotting filly owned by Nick and Kim Zito's Lucky Shamrock Stable and Walnut Hall Ltd., made her first appearance on the track in 2005 Friday morning at Pompano Park, winning a qualifier in 1:59.3. Last year as a 2 year old Centerfold Hall won the Lexington Breeders
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Hill wins Pinnacle Award
April 22, 2005
Award-winning author Marie Hill, who has written books on Adios, Single G, Delvin Miller and Joe O'Brien, has been named the 2005 Pinnacle Award winner by the Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame in Goshen, N.Y. The Pinnacle Award is given to recognize and provide appreciation for exemplary eff
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Holborn Hanover wins qua.
April 22, 2005
Several big-name stars qualified at the Meadowlands Friday morning, including 2004 Meadowlands Pace winner Holborn Hanover. Making his second qualifying appearance of the year, Holborn Hanover scored a 6 ¼-length victory in 1:52.3 for driver Jim Morrill Jr. and trainer Mark Harder. A winner of more
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Jenna's Choice in 1:50.3
April 22, 2005
Berry's Creek Pace eligible Jenna's Choice was a big winner at the Meadowlands Friday night. Jenna's Choice won the $70,790 Suslow final over Gryffindor in a stakes record 1:50.3. Jenna's Choice completed a Winter Series hat trick with a 1 1/4-length victory in the Robert J. Suslow Final. The 3-
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True Force scores again
April 22, 2005
Berry's Creek eligible True Force kept his winning streak intact with an easy three-length score in 1:50.4 in an overnight at the Meadowlands Friday night. He defeated Berry's Creek eligibles Odds On Duane, Jo Pa's Shark and With Anticipation. True Force, racing on Lasix for the second time, is t
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Ideal News sweeps series
April 21, 2005
Ideal News overcame an early breakaway by Righteous Renee and I'm All In to complete her series sweep in the $64,850 Blossom Final Wednesday night at the Meadowlands. Ideal News paced the mile in a stakes record and lifetime best of 1:52, winning by a head over I'm All In. It was 4 1/2 lengths ba
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Four for Four Starz Sisco
April 21, 2005
Unbeaten Four Starz Sisco turned in his fourth straight victory in his final tune-up for the April 30 elimination races for the Berry's Creek Pace. Unraced at two, Four Starz Sisco captured the first race Wednesday at the Meadowlands in a lifetime best 1:50.2. The gelded son of The Panderosa, dri
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Dan Patch commitments
April 21, 2005
Hoosier Park director of Standardbred racing Kevin Mack has announced he has already received commitments from six trainers for the 12th annual $200,000 Dan Patch Invitational Pace on Saturday, April 30. Already committed to the Dan Patch is Life Source, who finished third in last year's edition.
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Fletcher addresses RCI
April 21, 2005
Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher spoke Thursday morning at the annual meeting of the Association of Racing Commissioners International at the Marriott Griffin Gate hotel in Lexington. Fletcher updated the gathering on the state of the industry in Kentucky, and pointed out the recent proposed changes to
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Dan Patch champ returns
April 21, 2005
Dan Patch Award winner Village Jolt made his first appearance as a sophomore a winning one, capturing a qualifier at Pocono Downs Thursday morning in 1:56. With trainer Ed Hart at the lines, the son of Cam's Card Shark sat in the two hole through fractions of :28.3, :57.3 and 1:26.3 before tipping o
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Casablanca Hall wins
April 21, 2005
Casablanca Hall, owned by Walnut Hall Ltd., Denim Stable, Mary Katz and the Lucky Shamrock Stable of Thoroughbred trainer Nick Zito and his wife, Kim, paced to a career-best 1:55.1 victory in a conditioned event at Pompano Park Wednesday night. With Bruce Ranger driving for trainer Fred Grant, Ca
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CR Commando nite at Dover
April 21, 2005
Breeding earnings for CR Commando are guaranteed to increase Thursday night as all 16 entrants into a pair of $100,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund finals at Dover Downs are sons or daughters of the Winbak Farm stallion. Eight 3-year-old fillies will line up behind the gate in Dover's sixt
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Village Jolt to qualify
April 20, 2005
Reigning Two-Year-Old Colt Pacer of the Year Village Jolt will make his sophomore debut Thursday morning in a qualifying race at Pocono Downs. Village Jolt won six of 10 starts in 2004, including the $663,200 Breeders Crown final at Woodbine in 1:51.1 and the $432,000 Woodrow Wilson final at the
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Bettor files lawsuit
April 20, 2005
An interesting lawsuit has been filed in connection with the Thoroughbred filly Sweet Catomine's fifth-place finish in the Santa Anita Derby April 9. The lawsuit alleges that the filly's owner, trainer, and others committed fraud by not disclosing the horse's health problems before the race. Acco
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Hanners sets Dover mark
April 20, 2005
Crossfire N, runner-up last week to Rainbow Blue in a $50,000 Invitational at Dover Downs, scored a 1:53 victory in the $27,000 Mares Open Handicap Pace on Tuesday, April 19 at the Delaware track. The 2004 Horse of the Meet at Dover, Crossfire N is owned by Wendy Crissman and 49 Racing Stables.
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Garden State Sale full
April 20, 2005
New Jersey Classic yearling sale officials have announced the 2005 sale is full and closed. There are 324 yearlings entered for the one-day sale to be held Sept. 11 at the New Jersey Horse Park in Allentown, N.J. Catalogs will be available early August and can be reserved by calling (717) 637-893
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That's 'Daddy Gingras'
April 20, 2005
Meadowlands driver Yannick Gingras and his wife, Vicky, welcomed their first child, a son, on Wednesday, April 20, 2005 at 12:03 a.m. at Saint Johns Riverside Hospital in Yonkers, N. Y. Jaiden Remy Gingras is 19 1/2 inches long and weighs in at seven pounds, eight ounces. "Vicky has to be the to
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Another world mark
April 19, 2005
Two races after Rainbow Blue set the mare world record for a five-eighths mile track at Dover Downs Monday night, Ron Pierce again took the spotlight. Pierce put his foot on the accelerator, driving Maltese Artist to a 1:48.3 all-time world mark. Starting from post one in a field of 10, the Mikey
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No Muscle in Elitlopp
April 19, 2005
The invitation extended to Mr. Muscleman to compete in next month's Elitlopp at Solvalla racetrack in Stockholm, Sweden, has been withdrawn, Solvalla officials have confirmed. The reason for the withdrawal of the invitation is because of the recent suspension of Mr. Muscleman's trainer, Noel Dale
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Daley's suspension delayed
April 19, 2005
The New Jersey Racing Commission has issued a ruling that grants a request by trainer Noel Daley to have his 180-day suspension delayed by six days. The suspension for an elevated TCO2 test on one of Daley's horses was supposed to begin April 21, but he was granted an extension of time concerning th
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Mare showdown on hold
April 18, 2005
The much-anticipated showdown between Rainbow Blue and Loyal Opposition will have to wait as Loyal Opposition has been scratched "sick" out of Monday's opening round of the Classic Series at Dover Downs. "My mare came up with a little temperature and we also found a pus pocket in her foot," Loyal
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Classic Series returns
April 18, 2005
Fool's Goal surpassed the $3 million mark in career earnings Monday night, capturing the first $60,000 division of the opening round of the Classic Series at Dover Downs. The 10-year-old trotter is the 12th all-time to reach that level in winnings for owners Bruce McEleven and Ron Allen and trainer
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Horse of the Year in 1:49.4
April 18, 2005
Rainbow Blue shattered the world record for 4-year-old pacing mares on a five-eighths mile track, scoring a 1:49.4 victory in the $85,000 Classic Distaff at Dover Downs Monday night. Driven by Ron Pierce, the 2004 Horse of the Year moved past Glowing Report in mid stretch to win drawing away, with A
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Canyon Wind A Breeze
April 17, 2005
Canyon Wind battled first-over from the half to the three-quarters and surged to the lead in the stretch to win by 3 1/4 lengths in the $47,500 Open Pace Saturday night at the Meadowlands. The 5-year-old son of Cambest paced the mile in 1:49.1. Live Out Loud finished second and it was 3 1/2 leng
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Foxy Maneuver wires INSS
April 17, 2005
Foxy Maneuver went wire to wire, capturing the opening leg of the Indiana Sire Stakes for older horse and gelding pacers in 1:52.4 Saturday night at Hoosier Park. Owner and trainer Don Eash was in the bike as the 6-year-old Armbro Maneuver gelding cut fractions of :26.3, :56.2 and 1:25.3 en route
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Father Foley Series opens
April 17, 2005
Holy Guacamolie and Dink Adoo won their respective $20,000 opening round divisions of the Father Foley Trotting Series at the Meadowlands Sunday afternoon. Holy Guacamolie, driven by Ron Pierce and trained by Linda Toscano, held on for a head victory,over Hurri Kane Billy G, trotting the mile in
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Gregory wins 2 in return
April 17, 2005
Jeff Gregory, making his first appearance since being hurt in a race accident Jan. 14, wasted no time finding the winner's circle Saturday night at Yonkers Raceway. Gregory had a winning drive in his first of seven starts, making it back to the winner's circle with a horse appropriately named Back O
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Mild upset in series round
April 16, 2005
Gryffindor nipped 2-5 favorite Jenna's Choice at the wire to win the $22,500 second round of the Robert J. Suslow at the Meadowlands Friday night in a career-best 1:50.3. Driven by Eric Ledford and trained by Noel Daley, Gryffindor edged Jenna's Choice by a nose. JJ's Gazette was third, 1 1/4 len
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Regal winner in Youthful
April 16, 2005
Stonebridge Regal led wire to wire to win Friday night's $60,600(C) Youthful Series final at Woodbine Racetrack. The 3-year-old son of Artsplace was part of a three-horse Bob McIntosh-trained entry that went off as the overwhelming 1-9 favorites. With Jack Moiseyev in the sulky, Stonebridge Regal
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Burning Point wins at Big M
April 16, 2005
Remaining at the Meadowlands while several of her divisional peers headed to Dover Downs for Monday night's opening round of the Classic Series, Burning Point scored a 1:51 victory in Friday night's $30,000 featured winners-over event for fillies and mares. Driven by John Campbell, Burnikng Point
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Gregory wins qualie debut
April 15, 2005
Driver Jeff Gregory, out of action since breaking his hip in a race accident at Freehold Jan. 14, made a successful return to the sulky Friday morning. Behind Give Me Credit in the first qualifier at the Meadowlands, Gregory directed the 3-year-old gelded son of Credit Winner to a wire-to-wire 2:00
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Shu Hanover wins Series leg
April 15, 2005
Driver David Miller was able to shoot Shu Hanover up the pylons in deep stretch and cleared in time to post his third straight win in the $19,000 second leg of the Fox Sports Net Series Thursday night at the Meadowlands. Shu Hanover crossed the wire in 1:50.2, finishing a length in front of Whodu
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Stein in British Poker Open
April 15, 2005
Northfield Park-based trainer Craig Stein will be leaving for London, England April 26, where he will play poker against the world's best players in the inaugural British Poker Open. Stein, who has spent most of the past three weeks at home recovering from injuries suffered when he was kicked by a h
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Slots plan at Bangor
April 15, 2005
According to a story in the Portland Press Herald, Penn National Gaming, which operates Bangor Raceway, plans to renovate a well-known restaurant adjacent to the track and install 475 slot machines there. Penn National bought Miller's Restaurant for $3.8 million and plans to open the parlor in Novem
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Cash Hall wins 1:55.2 qua.
April 15, 2005
Cash Hall, who finished third in the 2004 Hambletonian to Windsong's Legacy, made his first start of the year Friday morning in a qualifier at Mohawk Racetrack, winning by more than 10 lengths in 1:55.2. Jack Moiseyev drove for trainer Bob McIntosh, who shares ownership in the 4-year-old son of Self
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Big M detention for Daley
April 15, 2005
The Meadowlands has issued a statement that they have informed trainer Noel Daley that all horses under his care must race out of a detention barn for 180 days beginning April 21. The date coincides with a suspension Daley has received for an elevated TCO2 test on the horse Night Mystery following a
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Direct Scooter dies
April 15, 2005
Top racehorse and stallion Direct Scooter has died at the age of 29 at Walnridge Farm in New Jersey. Over his two years of racing in 1979-80, Direct Scooter won 36 of 60 races, including a mark of 1:54, and earning $800,451. Direct Scooter, a son of Sampson Direct, went on to a stellar stallion c
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Gregory set to return
April 14, 2005
Jeff Gregory has told The Horseman he will climb back into the sulky this weekend for the first time since suffering a broken hip in a race accident at Freehold Jan. 14. The 38-year-old driver had a career year in 2004, winning 581 races and more than $4.5 million in purses, but after posting 27 win
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2 straight for filly pacer
April 14, 2005
Ideal News posted her second straight win, capturing the $22,500 second leg of the Blossom Series at the Meadowlands Wednesday night in 1:53.4. Directed by John Campbell, the 3-year-old daughter of Western Ideal defeated I'm All In by a half length. Even-money favorite Righteous Renee finished th
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New stadium at Big M
April 14, 2005
It appears a new $750 million football stadium for the New York Giants will be built at the Meadowlands, possibly opening in time for the 2008 season. The agreement between the football team and the state of New Jersey is expected to be announced at a Thursday morning press conference, according to
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Ill. proposal to aid racing
April 14, 2005
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich indicated Wednesday that he is interested in a proposal to expand gambling at existing casino riverboats in the state that would include a subsidy to aid Illinois horse racing. The proposal by Chicago Democrat Rep. Robert Molaro would let casinos expand to include 3,
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Hazel Park story tops
April 14, 2005
"Raising the Stakes," a series printed last year about Hazel Park Harness Raceway in the Daily Tribune newspaper that covers the area in suburban Detroit, has won the Michigan Associated Press Sweepstakes Award. The award means the judges considered it the best story among all the award winners in 2
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HTA offers scholarships
April 14, 2005
Harness Tracks of America has announced that it will be offering $51,000 in college scholarships for the 2005-2006 school year to children of harness racing participants and others active in the sport. With assistance from International Sound Corporation, Harold Snyder and Champion Communication
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Daley suspended
April 14, 2005
Trainer Noel Daley has been suspended six months and fined $2,500 as a result of an elevated TCO2 test on his horse Night Mystery at the Meadowlands in February, despite the horse testing high once again in a quarantine situation. Although Night Mystery re-tested high, the ruling issued by the Ne
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Gural unveils Tioga plans
April 14, 2005
New York City-based owner and breeder Jeff Gural met with about 100 Tioga County residents Wednesday night and unveiled his plans for the re-opening of Tioga Park as a harness racetrack in 2006. Gural is planning on investing $20 million in the track that has not hosted live racing consistently sinc
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Laugh A Day dies
April 13, 2005
Laugh A Day, the most expensive yearling filly ever sold at public auction, died April 3. The 23-year-old mare died shortly after she foaled a Badlands Hanover filly at Winbak Farm in Maryland. In 1983, Lloyd Arnold bid a record $625,000 to buy Laugh A Day, a daughter of Most Happy Fella out of T
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Huge win by Scarlet Knight
April 13, 2005
Scarlet Knight won his first start back after a layoff in huge fashion at the Solvalla track in Stockholm Wednesday night, scoring by about 25 lengths in 1:53.4. He'll now meet Mr. Muscleman in the Elitlopp on May 29. Scarlet Knight was retired from racing earlier this year to exclusively stand a
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Ill. detention change
April 13, 2005
On Tuesday, at the regular meeting of the Illinois Racing Board, it was decided that effective Saturday, April 16, the current 5-hour detention time for horses will be moved back to a 4-hour detention time. It was also decided that Horsemen will now also be allowed to increase the dosage of Salix
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Baby wins Mighty M Open
April 13, 2005
Bayonne Baby, who was claimed Feb. 2 at Monticello Raceway for $4,000, captured that track's Open Pace Tuesday afternoon in 1:57. Since being claimed, Bayonne Baby has now won six times in eight starts as he rose through the ranks. "I guess you could say we made a good claim," said trainer-driver
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No veto in NY
April 13, 2005
The deadline for New York Gov. George Pataki to veto any part of the state's budget bill, which included new legislation for video lottery terminals at the state's racetracks, has come and gone without the VLT bill being changed. All of the details are not yet known, but this should pave the way for
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Illinois champ returns
April 13, 2005
Mini Me is set to return to the races Saturday night, with the now 6-year-old gelding scheduled to line up behind the gate in the $9,000 Open Pace at Pocono Downs. Although Mini Me has 17 wins in 67 career starts and more than $1.1 million in purses, he hasn't won since pacing to a career-best 1:49
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Shanghai Phil about ready
April 13, 2005
Shanghai Phil, the 3-year-old colt pacer who was placed in the top five by all six pacing panelists in The Horseman's ratings panel published in the April 6 issue, is reportedly close to qualifying. Trainer and co-owner Dustin Jones told the Woodbine media department that he hopes to qualify the son
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Perretti teams with Big M
April 13, 2005
Romance as well as riches await the winner of the inaugural Perretti Matchmaker Stakes on July 15 at the Meadowlands. The newest addition to the Meadowlands stakes schedule is for older trotting mares and will carry an estimated purse of $100,000 plus a date for the winner with one of the elite tro
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Opposition to meet Blue
April 13, 2005
A match-up of Loyal Opposition and Rainbow Blue is guaranteed Monday, April 18, as only seven older mare pacers were entered into the opening round of the Classic Series scheduled for the five-eighths mile track in Delaware. Defending older mare pacer divisional champ Loyal Opposition is riding a f
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Runover Feeling wins qua.
April 13, 2005
Trainer Kelly O'Donnell won a pair of qualifiers at Spring Garden Ranch in Florida Tuesday morning, April 12, with a pair of highly-regarded 3-year-old colt pacers. Pennsylvania Sire Stakes champion Runover Feeling was a 1:58.1 winner while Woodrow Wilson runner-up Up Front Charlie scored in 1:59.3.
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Titans to meet in Classic
April 13, 2005
A match-up of Loyal Opposition and Rainbow Blue is guaranteed Monday, April 18, as only seven older mare pacers were entered into the opening round of the Classic Series scheduled for the five-eighths mile track in Delaware. Defending older mare pacer divisional champ Loyal Opposition is riding a
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Elitlopp invites possible
April 11, 2005
Don Boss Vita held off the late rally of Mr. Muscleman to win the $154,200 Suc Mac Lad final at the Meadowlands Sunday afternoon in a stakes record 1:52.1. Hurri Kane Billy G finished 4 ¾ lengths behind in third. Don Boss Vita, who won his season's debut last week in the second leg of the Su Mac
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Don wins, Muscles tops too
April 11, 2005
Don Boss Vita held off the late rally of Mr. Muscleman to win the $154.200 Su Mac Lad Final in a stakes record 1:52.1 on Sunday afternoon at the Meadowlands. Mr. Muscleman was rimmed virtually the entire race and only was beaten by a neck. "He's got the biggest heart," said Virginia Louthan, who
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Magician formally retired
April 11, 2005
The 1:52.1 mile by Don Boss Vita in winning the Su Mac Lad final Sunday at the Meadowlands eclipsed the stakes record of 1:53.4, which had been set by Magician. This year Magician was honored in retirement ceremonies after the second race that same day, where he was reunited with trainer Earl Cruise
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Rainbow Blue back a winner
April 11, 2005
On the same day the world champion Boston Red Sox received their World Series rings at Fenway Park, world champion 2004 Horse of the Year Rainbow Blue made her 2005 return to the races. The day was declared "Rainbow Blue Day" in Delaware by Gov. Ruth Ann Minner, and in the easiest of fashions, Rainb
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Dan Patch champ wins again
April 10, 2005
Loyal Opposition charged to the lead just past the half and drew off to win the $100,000 Thomas Strada Memorial at the Meadowlands Saturday night. It was the 5-year-old daughter of Cole Muffler's fourth win in a row, this time stopping the clock in 1:50.2. The 2004 Older Pacing Mare of the Year,
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Whosurboy spring champion
April 10, 2005
Whosurboy posted the first sub-1:50 mile of the 2005 season in Canada, winning the $114,000(C) Spring Pacing Championship final Saturday night at Woodbine in 1:49.3. The race was a one-two sweep for trainer Mark Ford as Street Sign finished second. Driven by Luc Ouellette, Whosurboy was tipped of
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Canyon Wind breezes
April 10, 2005
Canyon Wind posted a 7-1 upset victory in Saturday night's $47,500 Open Pace at the Meadowlands. Scoring in 1:49.1, Canyon Wind held on by a nose over the late-rallying Maltese Artist, with Life Source third after leaving from the outside post. Canyon Wind was driven by David Miller for trainer S
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A warrior in Song Cycle
April 10, 2005
Go Warrior Go won the $17,500 Song Cycle Stakes for Illinois conceived-and-foaled pacers Saturday night at Balmoral Park, winning in 1:51 for driver Dave Magee. Papa Deck and Cold Sweat finished second and third, respectively. Coupled in the wagering with He's The Real Deal, the Darcy Pletcher-tr
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Burning Point posts win
April 09, 2005
Burning Point, the 2003 Breeders Crown 3-year-old pacing filly champion and a 6-time winner in 2004, posted her first win of the 2005 season in her eighth start when she won at the Meadowlands Friday night in 1:50.3 from post eight. Glowing Report, making her '05 debut, finished off the board. Dr
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Jenna's Choice scores
April 09, 2005
Jenna's Schoice, the winner ofd the Matt's Scooter final at the Meadowlands, is off to a good start in another series, taking the first leg of the Suslow SEries Friday night in 1:51.1. The 3-year-old Janna's Beach Boy gelding took the lead early and jogged home 2 1/2 lengths in front. Jenna's Ch
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John Campbell turns 50
April 08, 2005
The man who holds nearly every driving record in harness racing history and is the sport's all-time leading money winning driver at $227 million turns 50 years old today. For John Campbell, turning 50 is just another milestone to check off during a long and illustrious career. John Campbell will spe
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Driver sweeps Fox opening
April 08, 2005
Driver David Miller captured both $19,000 Fox Sports Net Series divisions among the four winners he recorded in the first five races of the night Thursday at the Meadowlands. In the opening round of the three-week Fox Sports Net Series, Miller won with Hop Sing in the third race and Shu Hanover i
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Big M qualies Saturday
April 08, 2005
Because of a forecast for rain on Friday morning, this week's qualifying races at the Meadowlands have been moved to Saturday morning.
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3 years for Brittingham
April 08, 2005
The Delaware Harness Racing Commission has reportedly upheld a 3-year suspension and $5,000 fine against trainer-driver Bret Brittingham for a positive EPO test on his horse Judy's Beach Towel last December. Brittingham reportedly admitted he gave the horse the druge erythropoietin (EPO) in April
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Dover Downs director dies
April 08, 2005
Melvin Joseph, 83, one of the original founders of Dover Downs, a prominent name in motor sports, and a longtime harness horse owner, died April 6 at his home in Georgetown, Del. Joseph is best know in The First State and in racing as the man who brought motorsport racing to Delaware. The Melvin
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Ouellette taken off drives
April 08, 2005
Luc Ouellette was taken off his drives Thursday night at Woodbine when he failed to pass a breathalizer test. In a posting on the harnesslist, Greg Reinhart, who maintains a website for Ouellette, explained Ouellette admitted he had a "couple of beers over the noon hour, went for his afternoon nap,
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Balmoral averts shutdown
April 08, 2005
Balmoral Park has averted a possible shutdown after removing potentially dangerous door latches from buildings that could have trapped persons in a fire. Officials at the track were told Wednesday by the state fire marshal's office that if the latches, which locked doors from the outside on its w
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Bluegrass winner qualifies
April 08, 2005
Green Dot, a winner of a Bluegrass Stakes division for 2-year-old colt trotters at The Red Mile last fall and a Pennsylvania Sire Stakes champion, qualified with a 1:59 win in his 3-year-old debut at The Meadows Friday morning. Dave Palone handled the driving for trainer Steve Bush. Palone got aw
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Worldly Beauty a mom
April 07, 2005
Worldly Beauty, one of the premier pacing mares in recent years, gave birth to her first foal, a filly by Western Ideal, Tuesday, April 5, at Perretti Farms in Cream Ridge, New Jersey. "She looks like her mom," said Mike Gulotta, who owns Worldly Beauty in partnership with Craig Lipka. "She's bay
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Rainbow Blue debuts Mon.
April 07, 2005
The 2004 Horse of the Year Rainbow Blue will make her first start of the 2005 season Monday night, April 11, as she takes on six rivals in a $50,000 Invitational Pace at Dover Downs. Rainbow Blue has drawn post five in the field and trainer and co-owner George Teague Jr. has once again named Ron
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Ideal News breaks maiden
April 07, 2005
Ideal News fired off cover in the stretch and drew off to a 1:52.3 victory in the $22,500 first round of the three-week Blossom Series for 3-year-old pacing fillies Wednesday night at the Meadowlands. John Campbell guided the daughter of Western Ideal to a second-over trip, following Cheyenne Adr
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Smedshammer's pacer wins
April 07, 2005
Legend Hall, the lone pacer residing with 54 trotters in trainer Trond Smedshammer's overflowing stable at White Birch Farm in New Jersey, won his first race since July 2003 last Sunday afternoon at the Meadowlands, scoring in a $20,000 claiming event. The 6-year-old son of Cambest will try to dupli
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Mare prepping for Lotteria
April 07, 2005
While Mr. Muscleman's connections are prepping for a possible start in the May 29 Elitlopp at Solvalla in Stockholm, the 4-year-old Angus Hall-sired mare McCall Magic is getting ready to head to Naples, Italy, for the May 8 Lotteria. McCall Magic sports a mark of 1:55.1 taken at Woodbine last yea
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Jackson sale approved
April 07, 2005
Michigan's Acting Racing Commissioner Christine C. White today approved MTR Gaming Group Inc.'s purchase of a 90 percent interest in the Jackson Trotting Association, which operates Jackson Harness Raceway in Jackson, Mich. Commissioner White said, "After careful review of the purchase agreement
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10 mares in $100,000 invite
April 06, 2005
The Thomas Strada Memorial, named after the late son-in-law of Hall of Famer George Sholty, is set for the Meadowlands Saturday night and last year's Dan Patch award winner Loyal Opposition will be taking on nine other foes, but not Rainbow Blue. Rainbow Blue had to pass to honor a commitment to rac
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Big open field at Big M
April 06, 2005
Boulder Creek and Georgia Pacific will be returning to the track for their first starts in Saturday night's $47,500 Open at the Meadowlands, and they'll be taking on Life Source, a winner of 4 of 10 this season. Boulder Creek is a winner of $1.2 million who sports a record of 1:48.1, which he too
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Quik Pulse has surgery
April 06, 2005
Driver Tony Morgan thought something was bothering Quik Pulse Mindale, but he didn't think it was serious. He was wrong as the now 4 year old will be sidelined after undergoing surgery Monday in Lexington, Ky., for a torn suspensory. Lloyd Arnold owns, Quik Pulse Mindale, a 4-year-old son of Jenn
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Giants sue NJSEA
April 06, 2005
The New York Giants have sued the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, operator of the Meadowlands Racetrack. The Giants want Giants Stadium renovated to "state of the art" standards. About a month ago plans for the New York Giants to build a new $750 million stadium in conjunction with the N
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Express Ride dies at 22
April 06, 2005
Express Ride, who trotted to a 1:53 world record for 4-year-old stallions at The Red Mile in 1987, died at Menhammar Stud farm in Sweden Wednesday. Racing without shoes that day at The Red Mile, Express Ride turned in a breath-taking performance for driver Berndt Lindstedt. At the time the clocking
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Continuance for Daley
April 06, 2005
Trainer Noel Daley reportedly requested and received a continuance of a court appearance concerning his arrest on charges of possession of prescription drugs without a prescription and possession of hypodermic needles and syringes. The items were found after a subsequent search of his barn at Magica
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Former Flyers' filly wins
April 05, 2005
Rick MacLeish, a Hall of Fame hockey player with the Philadelphia Flyers, isn't skating on the ice these days. Instead, he's getting his sports rush from the 3-year-old Jenna's Beach Boy pacing filly Ain't Goin back, who is now two for two this year. Ain't Goin Back is trained and driven by Benja
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No Lasix for Muscleman
April 05, 2005
According to reports from the Meadowlands, Mr. Muscleman will not be racing on Salix (the bleeder medication formerly known as Lasix) when he competes in the Su Mac Lad final at the Meadowlands Sunday. The change appears to be to prepare the horse for a possible start in the Elitlopp in Sweden n
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Village Jolt 3 weeks away
April 05, 2005
Trainer Ed Hart has reported to The Horseman that 2004 Two-Year-Old Colt Pacer of the Year Village Jolt is about three weeks away from making his first qualifying start. The Woodrow Wilson and Breeders Crown winner is "training very good," according to Hart. "So far everything has been excellent.
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No invitation just yet
April 05, 2005
Hans Lindskog, the race secretary at the Solvalla racetrack in Stockholm, Sweden, told The Horseman's Lars Palm that he plans to attend the Su Mac Lad final at the Meadowlands Sunday so he can decide if Mr. Muscleman should be invited to the May 29 Elitlopp. Previous reports have stated that Adam
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Joe Napolitano dies
April 05, 2005
Joseph Napolitano, one of the top-10 trainers at Pompano Park Harness Track over the past eight years, died late Monday evening. He was 61. Napolitano was involved in the sport for nearly 40 years. His father, George Napoltaino, is a trainer, and his sons, George Napolitano, Jr. and Anthony Napol
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Quik Pulse Mindale in KY
April 04, 2005
Quik Pulse Mindale is scheduled to be at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky., this morning for for a check-up on a front leg after his fourth-place finish in a $45,100 leg of the Spring Pacing Championship at Woodbine on March 26. "He had some heat in a front leg, but he's not lame,"
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New Yorker wins contest
April 04, 2005
Jim Lang of Cohoes, N.Y., earned the $50,000 grand prize and the title of "National Harness Handicapping Champion" in the sport's first national handicapping tournament held at the Meadowlands Racetrack on Saturday, April 2. Lang, a 47-year-old equipment recovery manager for Time Warner Cable, fi
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Provincial Cup still May 29
April 04, 2005
The Ontario Racing Commission has ruled that Windsor Raceway must hold the Provincial Cup for 3-year-old colt pacers on May 29 as advertised. The track, citing concerns over a three-week delay in racing in January, had asked for permission to move the race to December. The track earlier simply an
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Gigant Neo sets track mark
April 04, 2005
Gigant Neo, a son of Super Arnie-Clorita Lobell trained by Sweden's Stefan Melander, set a new track record of 1:55.4 when he won over Prime Prospect in the Grand Prix Costa Azzurra at the Torino track in Italy Monday. The race had been delayed from Sunday since all sporting events in Italy were can
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Hoosier Park opens
April 03, 2005
Hoosier Park opened its 2005 harnes meet Saturday night and there was a familiar winner on the card as Swingin Glory, a senior citizen at age 11, won one of the 14 races on the card by one length in 1:53.3. Trained and driven by Ricky Macomber at Hoosier Park, last year Swingin Glory won 9 of 27
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No winner announced yet
April 03, 2005
The National Harness Handicapping Contest concluded at the Meadowlands Saturday night, but the winner won't be revealed until after a second review of the data. The Horseman And Fair World's Gordon Waterstone reported that he finished "somewhere in the 50s" after leaving the gate with a bang early i
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Muscles in Su Mac Lad
April 03, 2005
Mr. Muscleman, the winner of the 2003 Kentucky Futurity and a winner of 7 of 14 starts last season, won his first start of his 2005 campaign with a 1:53.3 score in a leg of the Su Mac Lad Series Sunday afternoon at the Meadowlands. With Ron Pierce driving, Mr. Muscleman defeated the Argentinian-b
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Rain, wind pummel Big M
April 02, 2005
Saturday night's card at the Meadowlands was canceled due to high winds and heavy rain. A steady wind of about 40 miles per hour and rain made conditions unsafe to race. Officials at the track waited until 8 p.m. to make the decision, a half hour after scheduled post time. The track took a second
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$50,000 on the line
April 01, 2005
Handicappers from across North America will be descending on the Meadowlands Racetrack Saturday night for the chance to walk away with a guaranteed $50,000 first prize in the inaugural National Harness Handicapping Championship. Among the nearly 100 entrants will be Gordon Waterstone of The Horseman
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Top colts Jug eligible
April 01, 2005
Village Jolt, Rocknroll Hanover, Shanghai Phil and Speed Demon are among the 176 horses eligible to this year's $650,000 (estimated) Littled Brown Jug, which will be held Sept. 22 at the Delaware (Ohio) County Fair Other outstanding colts eligible to the Jug include Allamerican Inca, Syncro's Z
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Slots drafts in FL
April 01, 2005
According to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, the Florida legislature's first stab at setting the regs for slots at Broward County pari-mutuel facilities was a disappointment to some. The first slots bill to clear a committee in the state legislature would allow only electronic bingo. Also, inste
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Gordon gears for contest
April 01, 2005
Hi! My name is Gordon Waterstone and I'm a handicapper--at least I think I'm a handicapper. I'll find out just how good I am as I travel to the Meadowlands Saturday to compete in the National Harness Racing Handicapping Championship. I've been the author of tip sheets sold at Hazel Park and for o
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NY budget bill passes
April 01, 2005
New York lawmakers have passed a budget on time for the first time in 21 years and the $105 billion spending plan, passed on Thursday, also includes a new video lottery terminal bill. The new VLT bill raises the fee paid to the track operators and specifies monies for a Breeding Fund that will pay p
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Rainbow Blue in 1:51.4
April 01, 2005
Rainbow Blue, last year's top 3-year-old pacing filly of the year and certainly one of the greatest fillies of all time, qualified at the Meadowlands Friday morning with a wire-to-wire 1:51.4 effort. As usual, Ron Pierce was in the sulky behind the now 4-year-old mare by Artiscape. Rainbow Blu
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Georgia Pacific qualifies
April 01, 2005
Georgia Pacific tuned up for his 4-year-old campaign with a 1:52.1 qualifying victory at the Meadowlands Friday morning. Also qualifying on the card were Glowing Report (1:53.4), who won by 13 1/4 lengths over Apple Krisp, and Boulder Creek (1:52.4).
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Six wins for Kisses
April 01, 2005
Stonebridge Kisses posted her sixth victory in nine starts this season when she won the $47,500 Mares Open at the Meadowlands Friday night in 1:51.1. Carolina Sunshine was a head back in second while Artbitration took third. Stonebridge Kisses, a 5-year-old daughter of Artiscape, was taken off th
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